Argumentative Essays
As we continue with our essay writing, we are looking at several different types of writing, but one thing that is in common with ALL the methods we are looking at; all are in a traditional 5 paragraph paper format. This allows you to continue practicing the 5 paragraph form, and gives you the opportunity to write different styles of papers at the same time. How creative is that?!!
Read pp 286-298
Assignment 13.1
Further Explanation Video "Click Here"
Turn to pages 301-302 and pick an argumentative topic you might like to write an essay on...or choose a topic of your own.
Look at pages 289-290 under the heading, "Decide which points of argument to include" and follow the instructions below for this assignment:
1. After selecting a topic, make a "Pro-and-Con Sheet" to help you sort out which points you will discuss in your essay (look at page 289 for an example). As you are writing your Pro-and-Con sheet, remember you are not writing the "pros and cons" of your topic, you are listing YOUR side of the argument, then listing your OPPONENT'S side of the argument ideas.
2. After making your list above, look over the list and decide which of your strongest points (pick only 2) you want to argue in your paper and also which of your opposition's claims (pick only 1) you want to refute. **You may have to combine a few of your points into one point
3. Make a working thesis (this means you will need to come up with a thesis but by "working" I mean that you may need to "tweak" it as you work on your paper) and an essay map with the 2 points to support your argument and 1 point of refuting your opponent's point.
For the thesis, notice the example at the top of page 290 starting with "Although..."
The three main points arguing for your side (you will be writing on only 2 points) include:
1. professional note-taking services keep students from developing their own thinking and organizational skills
2. professional note-taking services discourage class attendance and participation
3. unfair advantages to some students
The one point from the other side of the argument says:
1. helps students to learn and organize material
Notice the thesis statement includes all three of your points as well as the one point from the other side of the argument. Here it is:
"Although some students maintain that using professional note-taking services helps them learn more, such services should be banned from our campus because they prevent students from developing their own thinking and organizational skills, they discourage class attendance, and they give unfair advantages to some students."
Notice in green, the other side of the argument is given, then in red, the author gave three points to argue their side of the issue.
Let me say it again in another way that may help it "click" since previous students have struggled with how to put this thesis statement together. We'll do the same thesis statement as shown above but instead of using 3 points, I'll use only two since that's how your homework will be done.
First, write down the other side of the arguments strongest point:
"using professional note-taking services helps them learn more"
Second, write your side of the argument
"they prevent students from developing their own thinking and organizational skills"
Third, write down your 2 points to support the second steps argument above
1. discourage class attendence
2. give unfair advantages to some students
Now put it all together with the words "although" and "because" inserted into the right places:
"Although some students maintain that using professional note-taking services helps them learn more, such services should be banned from our campus because they discourage class attendance, and they give unfair advantages to some students."
So...for assignment 13.1 I want:
1. your pro/con sheet
2. your thesis statement/essay map (remember you are choosing 2 points for and 1 to argue against) using "although" and "because" as in the example above (this can be one sentence as is in the example above, or you can write two sentences like we have in the past--they are both correct).
(2 hours)
Submit Assignment 13.1 (25 points) due Nov 19
Assignment 13.2
Look at pp 299 Practicing What You Learned" and follow the instructions (Just do Part "A"). Look especially at the paragraph on p. 300 that begins with “Once you have your two lists…” Look at page 290, top of the page again where it says, “Although some students maintain that using…” for an example of the thesis statement that page 299 asks for.
**Important: The assignment instructions include writing a correct thesis statement after you do the above lists (see page 300 top of page)
(50 minutes)
Submit your thesis statement for 13.2 assignment. (20 pts) due Nov 23
Done for the week!!
During Class
Assignment 13.1
This week we will be tearing apart the 5 paragraph
paper and writing one, one piece at a time. I want
you to take the topic: "In your opinion, what factors
contribute to a good movie?"
For this lesson, write the intro paragraph complete
with attention getter, thesis, and essay map with
your three points.
We have already done this lots, so take the time and
do a college level job on this.
After you submit the intro paragraph, I will edit and
grade it. Then I will return it for you to correct and
send it with 13.2.
Submit your intro paragraph for 13.1 assignment. (20 pts)
Assignment 13.2
For this lesson, write the next 3 paragraphs (your 3 main body paragraphs)
What to turn in: Introductory paragraph you did and corrected in 13.1, and
your 3 main body paragraphs.
I will grade and edit your 3 main body paragraphs and return to you so that you can fix and submit with 13.3.
Submit your 3 paragraphs for 13.2 assignment. (40 pts)
Assignment 13.3
Now, write a good conclusion restating your thesis and essay map and pull everything together. Remember not to introduce any new information in this paragraph.
What to turn in: Introductory paragraph from 13.1, your 3 main body paragraphs from 13.2 (the intro and 3 main body paragraphs should have been edited by now) and your conclusion paragraph
Submit your conclusion paragraph for 13.3 assignment. (20 pts)
Unit #13
Intro to Expository Writing
